Time for a little commitment in the new year

Life can certainly bring circumstances that allow us to sabotage our nutrition and physical fitness programs.

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By Reggie Grovey

The Shawnee News-Star

By Reggie Grovey

Posted Jan. 6, 2013 at 12:00 AM

By Reggie Grovey
Posted Jan. 6, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Life can certainly bring circumstances that allow us to sabotage our nutrition and physical fitness programs.

Raising a family, earning a living, busy schedules dampening our motivation to exercise, or special events and gatherings tempting us to overeat are classic examples.

Let me be the first to say these are definitely roadblocks to deal with, but I beg to disagree that they are good reasons to let your health programs suffer or discontinue.

Why? ... Well, first and foremost, nothing in this world is so important that we should let it get in the way of good health for ourselves, and loved ones.

We have got to stay committed to our cause for good health.

Trust me folks, you can attain your fitness goals in 2013, and be in the best shape of your life starting today, by staying committed to your program with daily disciplines.

If there is one key to your health and fitness success, I would have to say it is going to be your individual commitment.

The dictionary defines this as the act or quality of voluntarily taking on and fulfilling obligations.

And my friends, fulfilling an obligation to yourself is exactly what has been done once your fitness goals have been accomplished.

To utilize this very important trait, it is clear our next challenge is to define what commitment means to each of us individually.

From a fitness standpoint, for me, it is that little voice that says to complete my workout, even if I don’t feel like it.

It is having the dedication to apply good knowledge I have learned, or someone taught me over the years, like giving my body what it needs nutritionally and drinking 64 to 96 ounces of water, even if it makes me use the restroom more frequently.

It is the way that I feel after staying true to my exercise and nutrition for weeks, months and years at a time, and feeling better than I ever have because of it. And I personally guarantee if you stay committed to your program every day, you will feel the same way too.

Just set your goals and commit to following them every day, week and year, no matter how difficult it may seem at the time.

Commitment is being so focused on your goals that nothing can keep you from following a plan, that is designed to help achieve them.

Let me also say that being committed to your nutrition program doesn’t mean that you have to suffer in every aspect of your life. It does not have to be one extreme or the other.

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You can be on a program that is taking you to your goals and still enjoy some of your favorites along the way. Within reason, of course, because it is very important to keep your total daily calories under control.

If you are having trouble with your intake, try the 50 percent-50 percent rule, which means you eat healthy one day and the next day you eat what you like.

Your next challenge could be progressing toward eating healthy 70 percent of the time, and the remaining 30 percent of the time feeling free to eat what you like.

In a one week cycle, the 70 percent - 30 percent rule converts to about five days of healthy eating, and two days of not being so strict.

If you want to challenge yourself even further, you can progress to the 80 percent - 20 percent rule, which is six days healthy eating combined with one day that you eat for taste.

Staying committed to whichever plan you choose is the key, because over time, your consistency will start to show in the way of results.

Challenging yourself to stay accountable in this way is great because, in all scenarios, you are providing your body plenty of healthy nutrients, satisfying your taste buds, but more importantly are staying committed to a plan, progressing towards your goals, developing good habits, and adopting a healthy lifestyle change for the better.

The first step is to define reality by evaluating your health status to identify areas you need or want to improve.

Secondly, you must make a promise or commitment to yourself to attain them, because they are important.

Use your commitment, goals and dreams for yourself to build a passion inside you that fuels your energy to start and sustain a plan for improved health that provides proper nutrition, vitamins, exercise, rest and plenty of water.

I encourage you to write these goals down, keep them in a prominent location, review them frequently, and commit with the action that is necessary every day to attain them.

For example on your exercise sessions, I am asking you to plan ahead by discussing with yourself and family to decide the best time for you to exercise, and then do it.

This type of planning must also be done with the nutrition and rest portions of your program as well.

Regardless of your status, or what you are looking for, I want to remind you that you can improve, and I mean really improve, with action.

I want to remind you to be patient and committed to taking small, organized steps of action every day toward your goals.

Your fitness success is neither whirlwind or catastrophic.

For example, you will not wake up tomorrow 15 pounds overweight or find yourself 30 pounds underweight.

One day or meal does not define your overall program success. What’s important is that you never let one issue carry so much weight that it defines the success or failure of your health, fitness, and nutrition program.

Instead, it has been my experience that it is a series of decisions, good or bad over of time that makes the difference.

I challenge you to be a difference maker in 2013, by staying committed every day on attaining better health, nutrition, and fitness for life. You can do this!

Until next week make it a healthy and nutritious day!

To get started on healthy weight loss and nutrition products, stop by Reggie’s Personal Training and Nutrition, 104 E. Main, Shawnee, call 405-613-0237, or email reggiesnutrition@hotmail.com.